Fretting Cleanly

[gm2_in_co]

Not sure if this is a technique or a set up problem. I've been rotating through all my basses deliberately of late and independent of setup issues or scale length, I swear some are just way easier to fret cleanly than others. Why is that? Now in making note of it, I notice that I gravitate to the easier playing ones subconsciously independent of cost or how much I "like" them otherwise.

[phillipkregg]

I'd bet it's probably a set up issue.

On the basses that seem easier to fret, are the strings closer to the fretboard? If so, than the necks of the other basses may have too much relief for you.

If you're not comfortable with truss rod adjustments, you can usually find a good bass tech in most cities that will adjust your neck and set the intonation on your bridge for about 20 bucks - give or take a few.

Of course, it could also have something to do with the frets themselves. I find it much easier to play a bass with smaller frets - like Laklands - than basses with larger frets - like Ibanez.

[gm2_in_co]

Originally Posted by phillipkregg

I'd bet it's probably a set up issue.

On the basses that seem easier to fret, are the strings closer to the fretboard? If so, than the necks of the other basses may have too much relief for you.

If you're not comfortable with truss rod adjustments, you can usually find a good bass tech in most cities that will adjust your neck and set the intonation on your bridge for about 20 bucks - give or take a few.

Of course, it could also have something to do with the frets themselves. I find it much easier to play a bass with smaller frets - like Laklands - than basses with larger frets - like Ibanez.

Actually, setting lower action seems to have aggravated the problem on one bass at least. I took my Westone Thunder I in for set up and they lowered the action quite a bit, but when I got home and actually played, it seems even harder to play cleanly. Especially the D and G which always seem to give me way more problems.

[tangentmusic]

It may not be a technique or a set-up issue at all. Each bass is different than the next, even among the same brand & model. Some players swear by the Squier VM, saying it plays better than their american Jazz. Maybe some are. Maybe someone has a MIA Jazz that was made by a guy at Fender nursing a hangover that day, and it's not as nice to play as the one he built the day before. Way too many variables. But it's nice to have a variety of instruments to go to. We all gravitate to our faves, and maybe next month you'll find that one that seems harder to play today becomes a favorite.

[lowendfriend]

Be careful about going too low on your setup if your style is to "dig in" on your right hand.

[phillipkregg]

Originally Posted by gm2_in_co

Actually, setting lower action seems to have aggravated the problem on one bass at least. I took my Westone Thunder I in for set up and they lowered the action quite a bit, but when I got home and actually played, it seems even harder to play cleanly. Especially the D and G which always seem to give me way more problems.

Maybe I don't understand what you mean by "fret cleanly". I thought you may have trouble with pressing the fret down. Is the problem fret buzz from playing instead?

[mid_life_crisis]

When I say that I can't fret cleanly I'm talking about lifting my finger off without getting any extraneous noise. Could this be what the OP is talking about?

[gm2_in_co]

Yes, that extra squawking noise is what I'm talking about. Not fret buzz.

[JimmyM]

that happens on all of them, just some are better at disguising it than others. shouldn't be doing that anyway

disclaimer: i often do it...sounds cool sometimes.